Microdevice and method for component separation in a fluid

Abstract

The present invention relates to a microdevice for separating the components of a fluid sample. A cover plate is arranged over the first surface of a substrate, and, in combination with a microchannel formed in the first surface, defines a separation conduit for separating the components of the fluid sample. A sample inlet port in fluid communication with the conduit allows a fluid sample introduced from a sample source to be conveyed in a defined sample flow path such that the sample fluid travels, in order, through the sample inlet port, the separation conduit and a sample outlet port. The microdevice also includes an integrated introducing means for controllably introducing a volume of the fluid sample from a sample source into the sample inlet port and through the separation conduit. A method for separating the components of a fluid sample using the microdevice is also provided.

1. A microdevice assembly for separating the components of a fluid sample, the assembly comprising:
 a microdevice comprising:
 a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces and first and second microchannels formed in the first surface; 
 a cover plate arranged over the first surface, the cover plate in combination with the first and second microchannels defining first and second conduits, respectively, the cover plate comprising a linear channel disposed therein; 
 a sample inlet port in fluid communication with a valve, wherein the valve is constructed for selectively providing fluid communication from the inlet port to either one of the conduits to allow a fluid sample introduced from a sample source to be conveyed in a defined sample flow path such that the fluid sample travels, in order, through the sample inlet port, an integrated introducing means, the selected conduit and a sample outlet port associated with the selected conduit; and 
 wherein the integrated introducing means is an integrated introducing means for mechanically, controllably introducing a predetermined volume of the fluid sample from the sample inlet port through a sample loading chamber of the integrated introducing means and through the selected conduit, and wherein the integrated introducing means comprises a switching plate comprising
 a first contact surface and an opposing contact surface, 
 three curved fluid-transporting channels located on the first contact surface lying along a circle having a diameter equal in length to the linear channel in the cover plate; 
 
 wherein at least one of the conduits is constructed for separating the components of the fluid sample according to a component property, and 
 
 an external device is interfaced with and in communication with the microdevice via an electrospray nozzle. 
 
     
     
       2. The microdevice of  claim 1 , wherein the electrospray nozzle is an ionizer. 
     
     
       3. The microdevice of  claim 1 , wherein each of the conduits is constructed for separating the components of the fluid sample according to a different component property. 
     
     
       4. A microdevice for separating the components of a fluid sample, the microdevice comprising:
 a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces and first and second microchannels formed in the first surface; 
 a cover plate arranged over the first surface, the cover plate in combination with the first and second microchannels defining first and second conduits, respectively, the cover plate comprising a linear channel disposed therein; 
 a sample inlet port in fluid communication with the first conduit; 
 a first integrated introducing means for mechanically, controllably introducing the fluid sample from the sample inlet port, through the first integrated introducing means and through the first conduit, and wherein the first integrated introducing means comprises a switching plate comprising
 a first contact surface and an opposing contact surface, 
 three curved fluid-transporting channels located on the first contact surface lying along a circle having a diameter equal in length to the linear channel in the cover plate; and 
 
 a second integrated introducing means for controllably introducing the fluid sample from the first conduit through the second conduit to an outlet port, and 
 wherein at least one of the conduits is constructed for separating the components of the fluid sample according to a component property. 
 
     
     
       5. The microdevice of  claim 4 , wherein the switching plate is arranged to result in a first flow path configuration or a second flow path configuration. 
     
     
       6. The microdevice of  claim 5 , wherein the first flow path configuration through the integrated introducing means provides a means to deliver mobile phase to the separation conduit. 
     
     
       7. The microdevice of  claim 5 , wherein the first flow path configuration through the integrated introducing means provides a means to deliver fluid sample to the separation conduit. 
     
     
       8. The microdevice of  claim 5 , wherein the sample loading chamber of the integrated introducing means comprises a conduit common to the first and second flow path configuration. 
     
     
       9. The microdevice of  claim 5 , wherein in the second flow path configuration, the sample loading chamber is disposed between an input port of the integrated introducing means and the separation conduit. 
     
     
       10. The microdevice of  claim 9 , wherein insertion of the sample loading chamber between an input port of the integrated introducing means and the separation conduit enables delivery of a precise amount of fluid sample to the separation conduit. 
     
     
       11. A microdevice for separating the components of a fluid sample, the microdevice comprising:
 a substrate comprising
 first and second opposing surfaces and a microchannel formed in the first surface, the microchannel comprising a sample inlet terminus at a first end and a conduit at the sample inlet terminus, and 
 five conduits extending through the substrate that, in combination with the sample inlet port represent the vertices of an equilateral hexagon; 
 
 a cover plate arranged over the first surface, the cover plate in combination with the microchannel defining a separation conduit constructed for separating the components of the fluid sample according to a component property, the cover plate comprising
 a sample inlet port in fluid communication with the separation conduit, 
 a waste port in fluid communication with a conduit of the substrate, 
 a mobile phase inlet in fluid communication with a conduit of the substrate, and 
 a linear channel, wherein in each of the inlet port, waste port, and mobile phase inlet are located the same distance from a center point of the linear channel; and 
 
 a switching plate comprising
 a first contact surface and an opposing contact surface, 
 three curved fluid-transporting channels located on the first contact surface lying along a circle having a diameter equal to the length of the linear channel of the cover plate; 
 
 wherein the sample inlet port allows a fluid sample introduced from a sample source to be conveyed in a defined sample flow path such that the fluid sample travels, in order, through the sample inlet port, a switching plate configured to mechanically, controllably introduce a volume of the fluid sample, the separation conduit, and a sample outlet port. 
 
     
     
       12. The microdevice of  claim 11 , wherein the switching plate further comprises a handle that extends outwardly from a center of the three curved fluid-transporting channels. 
     
     
       13. The inicrodevice of  claim 4 , further comprising an interface that is structurally capable of being in communication with an external device. 
     
     
       14. The microdevice of  claim 13 , wherein the interface is an electrospray nozzle. 
     
     
       15. The microdevice of  claim 11 , further comprising a polymeric material formed in situ within the separation conduit. 
     
     
       16. The microdevice of  claim 11 , wherein the component property is selected from the group consisting of molecular weight, polarity, hydrophobicity and charge. 
     
     
       17. The microdevice of  claim 11 , wherein the integrated introducing means comprises a valve constructed for actuation through a sliding motion. 
     
     
       18. The microdevice of  claim 17 , wherein the valve is constructed for actuation through rotational motion. 
     
     
       19. A method for separating the components of a fluid sample, comprising:
 (a) providing a microdevice comprising
 a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces and a microchannel formed in the first surface, 
 a cover plate arranged over the first surface, the cover plate in combination with the microchannel defining a conduit constructed for separating the components of the fluid sample according to a component property, the cover plate comprising a linear channel disposed therein, and 
 a sample inlet port in fluid communication with the conduit, wherein the sample inlet port allows a fluid sample introduced from a sample source to be conveyed in a defined sample flow path such that a fluid sample travels, in order, through the sample inlet port, a switching plate, the conduit, and a sample outlet port; 
 (b) mechanically, controllably introducing a predetermined volume of the fluid sample from the sample inlet port, through the switching plate, and through the conduit, wherein the switching plate comprises 
 a first contact surface and an opposing contact surface, 
 three curved fluid-transporting channels located on the first contact surface lying along a circle having a diameter equal in length to the linear channel in the cover plate; 
 
 (c) conveying the fluid sample through the conduit, thereby separating the components of the fluid sample; 
 (d) interfacing an external device with microdevice via an electrospray nozzle; and 
 (e) analyzing the fluid sample flowing in the flow path or from the sample outlet port with the external device.